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Business setup in UAE free zones

A Free Economic Zone in the UAE (Free Zone) is an economic area where special rules apply that do not extend to companies outside that zone. 100% foreign ownership of the company, a special tax regime, and the ability to combine various types of activities under one license attract investors from around the world.

UAE Free Zones List

Currently, there are over 50 free economic zones in the United Arab Emirates. The latest list of key free zones and their requirements is provided in the table below:

Dubai
UAE Free Zone	License with Establishment Card	Activities	Office / Warehouse	WPS registration	Audit requirements	Timeframe	Designated Zones
DMCC – Dubai Multi Commodities Centre	9 400 USD	Trade, export, import, and re-export of goods, services, consulting, gold manufacturing and oil trading	Must have flexi-desk as a minimum	Yes, required for companies with employees	Yes, an annual audit is required	from 2 to 4 weeks	Non-designated Zone
MFZ – Meydan Free Zone	3 855 USD	Trade, services, & logistics	Must have shared desk	Not required	Yes, an annual audit is required	from 2 to 4 weeks	Non-designated Zone
DIFC – Dubai International Financial Centre	8 550 – 12 550 USD	Financial services, investment banking, insurance, asset management	Must have an office within the zone	Not required	Yes, audited reports is required if the firm is DFSA Regulated or have a turnover of $5 Million	from 2 to 6 weeks	Non-designated Zone
TECOM – Dubai Technology, E-Commerce and Media Free Zone	2 595 USD	IT, telecommunications, software development, internet startups	Freelancers not necessarily need flexi desk or office. Tecom offers co-working space for freelancers	Not required	Yes, audited financial reports are required for companies	from 2 to 3 weeks	Non-designated Zone
IFZA – International Free Zone Authority	4 610 USD	Trade, services, & logistics	Not necessary, virtual offices are available	Not required	Yes, an annual audit is required	from 1 to 2 weeks	Non-designated Zone
JAFZA – Jebel Ali Free Zone	4 650 – 7 357 USD	Trade, manufacturing, logistics, distribution	Must have an office or warehouse within the zone	Yes, required	Yes, an annual audit is required	from 3 to 4 weeks	Designated
Sharjah
Hamriyah Free Zone	4 275 USD	Manufacturing, trade, services, engineering	Must have an office or warehouse within the zone	Not required	Yes, audited financial reports are required for companies	from 1 to 2 weeks	Designated
Shams – Sharjah Media City	3 850 USD	Media, marketing, publishing, design	Not necessary, virtual offices are available	Not required	Not required	within 1 week	Designated
SAIF – Sharjah Airport Free Zone	6 195 – 8 235 USD	Logistics, trade, manufacturing, export/import	Must have an office or warehouse within the zone	Not required	Yes, required to submit the audit report within 6 months from their financial year	from 1 to 2 weeks	Designated
Abu Dhabi
ADGM – Abu Dhabi Global Market	10 310 USD	Financial services, legal services, asset management	Must have an office within the zone	Not required	Yes, an annual audit is required	from 2 to 4 weeks	Non-designated Zone
KEZAD GROUP	Included in license package	Manufacturing, logistics, distribution, R&D (research and development)	Must have an office or manufacturing space within the zone	Yes it is required	Yes, an annual audit is required	from 1 to 3 weeks	Non-designated Zone
Ras Al Khaimah
RAKEZ – Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones	Included in license package	Manufacturing, trade, services, media, and education	Must have an office or warehouse within the zone, but virtual offices are also available	WPS is not required, however if the company would like to have WPS there is an option on the salary payment procedure	Audit financial report is not required for license renewal. However, all the companies are still required to maintain a record of the same and to make them available upon our request	from 1 to 2 weeks	Only Designated with Warehouse
Fujairah
Creative City Free Zone	Included in license package	Advertising, Services, Consultancy Media	Flexi desk included in the package	Not required	Not required	from 1 to 2 weeks	Designated
Umm Al Quwain
UAQ FTZ – Umm Al-Quwain Free Trade Zone	Included in license package	Trade, services, manufacturing, consulting	Not necessary, virtual offices are available	Not required	Not required. However, it is strongly advised for all companies to retain their audits, as they may be required to submit them when necessary	within 1 week	Designated

Dubai

Sharjah

Abu Dhabi

Ras Al Khaimah

Fujairah

Umm Al Quwain

DMCC – Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

UAE Free Zone

DMCC – Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

License with Establishment Card

9 400 USD

Activities

Trade, export, import, and re-export of goods, services, consulting, gold manufacturing and oil trading

Office / Warehouse

Must have flexi-desk as a minimum

WPS registration

Yes, required for companies with employees

Audit requirements

Yes, an annual audit is required

Timeframe

from 2 to 4 weeks

Designated Zones

Non-designated Zone

MFZ

– Meydan Free Zone

UAE Free Zone

MFZ

– Meydan Free Zone

License with Establishment Card

3 855 USD

Activities

Trade, services, & logistics

Office / Warehouse

Must have shared desk

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Yes, an annual audit is required

Timeframe

from 2 to 4 weeks

Designated Zones

Non-designated Zone

DIFC – Dubai International Financial Centre

UAE Free Zone

DIFC – Dubai International Financial Centre

License with Establishment Card

8 550 – 12 550 USD

Activities

Financial services, investment banking, insurance, asset management

Office / Warehouse

Must have an office within the zone

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Yes, audited reports is required if the firm is DFSA Regulated or have a turnover of $5 Million

Timeframe

from 2 to 6 weeks

Designated Zones

Non-designated Zone

TECOM – Dubai Technology, E-Commerce and Media Free Zone

UAE Free Zone

TECOM – Dubai Technology, E-Commerce and Media Free Zone

License with Establishment Card

2 595 USD

Activities

IT, telecommunications, software development, internet startups

Office / Warehouse

Freelancers not necessarily need flexi desk or office. Tecom offers co-working space for freelancers

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Yes, audited financial reports are required for companies

Timeframe

from 2 to 3 weeks

Designated Zones

Non-designated Zone

IFZA – International Free Zone Authority

UAE Free Zone

IFZA – International Free Zone Authority

License with Establishment Card

4 610 USD

Activities

Trade, services, & logistics

Office / Warehouse

Not necessary, virtual offices are available

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Yes, an annual audit is required

Timeframe

from 1 to 2 weeks

Designated Zones

Non-designated Zone

JAFZA – Jebel Ali Free Zone

UAE Free Zone

JAFZA – Jebel Ali Free Zone

License with Establishment Card

4 650 – 7 357 USD

Activities

Trade, manufacturing, logistics, distribution

Office / Warehouse

Must have an office or warehouse within the zone

WPS registration

Yes, required

Audit requirements

Yes, an annual audit is required

Timeframe

from 3 to 4 weeks

Designated Zones

Designated

Hamriyah Free Zone

UAE Free Zone

Hamriyah Free Zone

License with Establishment Card

4 275 USD

Activities

Manufacturing, trade, services, engineering

Office / Warehouse

Must have an office or warehouse within the zone

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Yes, audited financial reports are required for companies

Timeframe

from 1 to 2 weeks

Designated Zones

Designated

Shams – Sharjah Media City

UAE Free Zone

Shams – Sharjah Media City

License with Establishment Card

3 850 USD

Activities

Media, marketing, publishing, design

Office / Warehouse

Not necessary, virtual offices are available

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Not required

Timeframe

within 1 week

Designated Zones

Designated

SAIF – Sharjah Airport Free Zone

UAE Free Zone

SAIF – Sharjah Airport Free Zone

License with Establishment Card

6 195 – 8 235 USD

Activities

Logistics, trade, manufacturing, export/import

Office / Warehouse

Must have an office or warehouse within the zone

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Yes, required to submit the audit report within 6 months from their financial year

Timeframe

from 1 to 2 weeks

Designated Zones

Designated

ADGM – Abu Dhabi Global Market

UAE Free Zone

ADGM – Abu Dhabi Global Market

License with Establishment Card

10 310 USD

Activities

Financial services, legal services, asset management

Office / Warehouse

Must have an office within the zone

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Yes, an annual audit is required

Timeframe

from 2 to 4 weeks

Designated Zones

Non-designated Zone

KEZAD GROUP

UAE Free Zone

KEZAD GROUP

License with Establishment Card

Included in license package

Activities

Manufacturing, logistics, distribution, R&D (research and development)

Office / Warehouse

Must have an office or manufacturing space within the zone

WPS registration

Yes it is required

Audit requirements

Yes, an annual audit is required

Timeframe

from 1 to 3 weeks

Designated Zones

Non-designated Zone

RAKEZ – Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones

UAE Free Zone

RAKEZ – Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones

License with Establishment Card

Included in license package

Activities

Manufacturing, trade, services, media, and education

Office / Warehouse

Must have an office or warehouse within the zone, but virtual offices are also available

WPS registration

WPS is not required, however if the company would like to have WPS there is an option on the salary payment procedure

Audit requirements

Audit financial report is not required for license renewal. However, all the companies are still required to maintain a record of the same and to make them available upon our request

Timeframe

from 1 to 2 weeks

Designated Zones

Only Designated with Warehouse

Creative City Free Zone

UAE Free Zone

Creative City Free Zone

License with Establishment Card

Included in license package

Activities

Advertising, Services, Consultancy Media

Office / Warehouse

Flexi desk included in the package

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Not required

Timeframe

from 1 to 2 weeks

Designated Zones

Designated

UAQ FTZ – Umm Al-Quwain Free Trade Zone

UAE Free Zone

UAQ FTZ – Umm Al-Quwain Free Trade Zone

License with Establishment Card

Included in license package

Activities

Trade, services, manufacturing, consulting

Office / Warehouse

Not necessary, virtual offices are available

WPS registration

Not required

Audit requirements

Not required. However, it is strongly advised for all companies to retain their audits, as they may be required to submit them when necessary

Timeframe

within 1 week

Designated Zones

Designated

Stages of registering a Free Zone company in the UAE

Choose the type of activity

It is very important to immediately choose the type of activity as accurately as possible in accordance with the official list. Some free zones allow you to combine activities from different categories in one license, for example, commercial activities and activities in the service sector.

Choose a free zone

It is necessary to take into account a number of criteria: the pricing policy of the free zone, geographical location, access to seaports and airports, and the possibility of combining activities.

Choose a corporate structure

The standard structures for free zone companies are: FZE - Free Zone Establishment (company with one shareholder) and FZC - Free Zone Company (company with several shareholders). You can also open a branch of a legal entity registered in another jurisdiction in the free economic zone.

Select trade name

Prepare 3 options for the company name. If the first option is rejected for any reason, the next possible one will be accepted.

Apply for initial approval

The free zone will review and approve the company name, structure and activities.

Sign legal documents for company registration

A face-to-face meeting or online call will be required. The representative of the free zone will check the documents of the beneficiaries and certify the signing of the MOA (Memorandum of Association) and other documents.

Sign a lease agreement

A number of free zones issue a license without the need to rent premises in the free zone. But for some free zones, this is a mandatory requirement. You can rent depending on your requirements: flexi desk, coworking space, physical office, warehouse, showroom.

Get a business license

You will receive a license for a new company with all related corporate documents.

Why should you contact us?

Registration of your company in the UAE on a turnkey basis

We help to open corporate and personal bank accounts

We are engaged in registration and renewal of licenses, the VAT registration procedure

We provide assistance in obtaining a resident visa of the country

We carry out a comprehensive audit, help to keep accounting records

Assistance in obtaining permits and certificates

VIP escort We meet clients at the airport, escort them in premium class cars

We work with government agencies, free zones and banks without intermediaries.

Maximum transparency in the provision of services. We ensure complete confidentiality of your data

Benefits for companies in the UAE Free Zone

Soft tax policy

100% foreign ownership of the company

UAE Resident Visa for Investors, Employees and Family Members

No import or export duties

Access to modern infrastructure

Full repatriation of capital and profits

Activities and benefits of registering a free zone company in the UAE

There are more than 50 different free economic zones in the UAE. We can recommend a suitable area depending on your investment budget, business environment, visa and office requirements.

Trading activity

It provides an opportunity to conduct international trade, export and re-export, sell goods on local markets with the help of intermediaries.

Production activity

Duty-free import of raw materials, storage in the FEZ and export of finished products outside the Emirates are available.

Services sector

Choose from over 1,000 activities and provide services worldwide.

Mobility

Some free zones allow you to combine commercial, production and service activities under one license.

Information privacy

Access to information on your personal and corporate accounts is closed to requests from third parties from other countries.

UAE residency

Obtaining a UAE visa for investors, employees, and family members.

Tax policy

Ability to conduct business at a corporate tax rate of 0%.

Property registration

The ability to register property and assets for a company in the free economic zone of the UAE.

Customer support

Most free zones in the UAE are quite customer-oriented, which allows you to quickly resolve emerging issues.

Trading activity

It provides an opportunity to conduct international trade, export and re-export, sell goods on local markets with the help of intermediaries.

Production activity

Duty-free import of raw materials, storage in the FEZ and export of finished products outside the Emirates are available.

Services sector

Choose from over 1,000 activities and provide services worldwide.

Mobility

Some free zones allow you to combine commercial, production and service activities under one license.

Information privacy

Access to information on your personal and corporate accounts is closed to requests from third parties from other countries.

UAE residency

Obtaining a UAE visa for investors, employees, and family members.

Tax policy

Ability to conduct business at a corporate tax rate of 0%.

Property registration

The ability to register property and assets for a company in the free economic zone of the UAE.

Customer support

Most free zones in the UAE are quite customer-oriented, which allows you to quickly resolve emerging issues.

How to choose a free zone for business placement?

Back call

❝ The UAE Free Zone is a tax-free territory in which it is possible to do business without the participation of local partners. Free zones are attractive jurisdictions for investors. Here all the conditions are in place to facilitate international trade. Companies from all over the place are registering here every day. ❞

Advantages of Companies Operating in Free Zones in the UAE

No corporate and personal taxation (5% VAT is charged only under certain conditions)

100% ownership of the company

Full repatriation of capital and profits

UAE resident visa for investors, employees and family members

No import and export duties

Access to modern infrastructure

What factors should you consider when choosing a free zone?

Entrepreneurs who wish to launch their company in a developed economy should consider investing in Dubai. There are more than 50 free economic zones in the United Arab Emirates.

Make Fortune specialists will select the most convenient option to locate your business in the free zone. Based on an analysis of your budget, commercial interests, and visa requirements, we will provide you with a proposal for registering your company at a favorable rate. A long-term relationship is of interest to us. Do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation on investment in the United Arab Emirates.

Opportunities for companies in the UAE Free Zone

Opportunities to trade across borders, to export and re-export, to sell goods in local markets with the help of intermediaries.

Manufacturing activities.

Duty-free importation of raw materials, storage in the Free Zone and export of finished goods outside the UAE.

The service industry.

The company may provide services to foreign contractors. Including in the free economic zone, in which it is registered.

Residence status and tax residency.

The status of resident and tax resident may be granted to shareholders, employees and their families.

Registration of property.

A company operating in a free economic zone is able to register any type of property or asset, including foreign assets.

International business.

Due to the complete absence of corporate taxes, tax expenses are significantly reduced.

How to open a company in the UAE Free Economic Zone?

To start a business, you need to go through the following steps:

Obtain a business license;
Get a UAE resident visa;
Open a corporate bank account.

The business license is valid for one year and is subject to regular renewal. Most free zones require the payment of share capital in the corporate account of the firm. The amount of capital and timing of the deposit depends on the requirements of the particular free zone.

Make Fortune services for establishing local companies in the UAE

Experts at our company assist entrepreneurs who wish to establish a business in the United Arab Emirates. We are able to offer the following services:

Full support for business registration in the free economic zone;
assistance in processing visas for investors and employees;negotiation assistance for lease agreements;
registration of a labor and migration card, as well as a permanent residence card;
registration, renewal, and liquidation of companies;
assistance in opening a bank account.

Our company will assist you with the understanding of all the legal and financial nuances of investment in the UAE and provide assistance with business registration.

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